HistoryThe story behind a unique Liverpool FC trophy: The Curlett Cup

Known as the Curlett Cup, this unique makeshift memento is as much part of Kop folklore as the players who earned the right to run around the ground with it.

Created by Liverpool-supporting brothers Terry and Teddy Curlett, it started out as an old vase that they painted red and white.

With a wooden banister cap for the lid, it was decorated with pictures of the players and furnished with ribbons on each handle.

It first appeared in April 1964, after a 5-0 victory over Arsenal saw Liverpool confirmed as champions for the first time in 17 years.

Terry and Teddy had been sparked into action earlier that week after discovering there would be no official trophy presentation to mark such a momentous occasion.

Bill Shankly invited them to bring their cup to Anfield on the big day, and, at the final whistle, it was handed over to captain Ron Yeats and proudly taken on the victorious lap of honour.

Two years later, when Liverpool were next crowned champions, history repeated itself and, following the title-clinching 2-1 win against Chelsea, the Curlett brothers came to the rescue again.

It was the last time the cup would be seen for 40 years. Anfield officials feared it had been lost forever until Franny Curlett, Terry’s son, contacted the club to reveal it had been stored safely in an attic all that time.

With the blessing of his family, Franny then kindly loaned it to the LFC Museum, and it has been on display ever since.

It may lack the shine of other trophies it sits alongside but the Curlett Cup will forever be one of our most cherished.

This story has been reproduced from Saturday’s matchday programme. Order a copy online here.

If you have any interesting items of Reds memorabilia that you would like to share with the LFC Museum, please contact mark.platt@liverpoolfc.com.